How This Family Slept Through Their First Vacation (Yes, Even With a One-Year-Old!)
Spoiler alert: It is possible to go on vacation with a toddler—and actually come back rested.
Meet Andy, Liz, and their 1-year-old son, Luca. They recently took their very first true family getaway to Clear Lake in Northern California. And here’s the kicker: they all slept well, made unforgettable memories, and returned recharged instead of run-down.
But let’s rewind for a second—because this didn’t happen by accident.
It happened because they built a strong foundation through sleep coaching.
They made a plan. And they followed it with intention, love, and just the right tools.
And now? They’ve stepped into a whole new season of family life, one that includes:
Reliable naps on the road,
Peaceful bedtimes in new places,
Relaxing mornings that don’t start before the sun rises
This is their story. And it’s the kind of story that could be yours too.
What Made This Trip Different
Let’s be real: before sleep coaching, planning a vacation with a toddler can feel like a logistics nightmare.
Who’s sleeping where?
What if they wake up all night?
Will we come back more tired than we left?
Andy and Liz felt that too. But this time, they were prepared. Here's what they did differently:
Introduced the travel crib early—Their son had a chance to get used to it before the trip.
Packed familiar sleep accessories—sound machine, lovies, and the SlumberPod (a game changer!).
Planned naps around travel—morning nap at home, car nap mid-drive. Smooth sailing.
Arrived with a plan—crib + SlumberPod went up the moment they walked in the door.
“There was NO drama at bedtime with the Pack ’n Play and SlumberPod.He went straight to bed, eager to get in. No tears and no drama. Liz and I were floored.”
This wasn’t just good luck —it was proof of sleep skills and excellent planning.
The Sleep Wins That Changed Everything
Over 7 days and 6 nights, Luca had 13 great naps (yes, they counted!), and only one off day—and even that was due to a creek adventure that included tadpoles and a turtle. I mean, can you blame them?
Other wins that made me so proud:
Later mornings – For the first time ever, wake-ups started trending past 6:00 a.m.
Bedtime flexibility – They gently shifted from a 6:00 p.m. to 6:30–7:00 p.m. bedtime without chaos.
Rested parents – Liz and Andy averaged 8–9 hours of sleep a night (on vacation).
Happy toddler – Resort staff commented on how content and well-behaved their was.
“We planned the vacation around our son’s sleep needs—and it was awesome and made life so much easier”
Let’s Talk Strategy (Because This Didn’t Happen by Luck)
This family did a few brilliant things that made all the difference:
Respect the nap – They didn’t sacrifice naps for outings. They built the schedule around them.
Prep the sleep space – Familiar gear like the SlumberPod, white noise, and comfort items helped Luca settle into a new environment with ease.
Honor the rhythm – They stuck to their son’s internal clock. Even on vacation, consistency created freedom.
Stay flexible, not reckless – One off nap didn’t derail the whole trip, because the foundation was strong.
This is exactly what I coach families to do. Because when you respect your child’s biology and trust your intuition, that’s where the magic happens.
A Personal Win, A Professional Joy
This story fills my heart because I remember where this family started. Their sleep story had some hard chapters—early wakings, short naps, the stress of trying to figure it all out while running on empty.
To hear them say, “Now we feel like ourselves again, We have our life back,” —that is exactly the feeling I want each family to fee.
Andy, Liz, you are rockstar parents. You showed up for your child and yourselves. You trusted the process. And now, you’re reaping the rewards—rest, confidence, connection, and joyful family adventures.
You Can Travel With Your Toddler and Actually Sleep
If the thought of travel brings on anxiety instead of excitement, please hear this: it doesn’t have to be that way.
With the right plan, tools, and support, you can:
Say yes to family adventures without sacrificing sleep
Help your child adapt to new environments
Restore your own energy while caring for your child
Enjoy the magic of parenting without the burnout
And if you need someone to walk beside you while you build that plan—I’m here for it.
Want to Make Your Holiday Travel Truly Restful?
If you’ve been hesitating, wondering if sleep coaching is right for you, let me reassure you: the hardest part is deciding to start. From there, with expert guidance and your dedication, the progress will come quickly. This is your chance to transform your life in a way few other things can.
Ready to take the leap? Let’s talk about how sleep coaching can create your family’s transformation. You deserve this. Your baby deserves this. And your future self will thank you.
Let’s start with an easy first step, schedule a Sleep Strategy Session so me, you and your partner can have an 1 hr long zoom session so I can properly assess the sleep situation and determine if you need one-on-one sleep coaching support.
Let’s get your baby sleeping—and get YOU your sanity back.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
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